Friday, February 4, 2011

Winter Wednesday, Outdoor Hour and Science Sunday: Winter Weather

Brrrrr! ((shiver)) Winter weather in Maine = LOTS of SNOW! So, this week it seemed perfect that we explored the Handbook of Nature Study blog's Outdoor Hour Challenge #4: Winter Weather, Winter Wednesday #3: Winter Sky and Winter Wednesday #2: Snow and took a quick look at Winter Wednesday #4: Tree Silhouettes . Mother Nature certainly cooperated on the SNOW part for us!
Monday's Sky - Beautiful Blue!
Tuesday and Wednesday's - GRAY Sky
Thursday Sky: Blue with Quick Moving Clouds
Friday's Sky - Blue with LOTS of Clouds
 Over the course of the week we've been keeping a Daily Weather Log to record our weather. We included temperature, dew point, air pressure, wind speed, wind direction, precipitation, cloud type, and relative humidity. Most of our weather discussions centered around learning how humidity and air pressure can help us to predict if a storm is coming. And fortunate for us - a major snow storm rolled in and we had clear data to refer too.
A Few of the Book we Referred to for Information
J's Almost Completed Daily Weather Log
 We took our temperature data to the next level: How accurate are weather forecasts for OUR SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN? So, we recorded the highest temperature we saw on our digital outside thermometer and compared it with the highest temperatures predicted by The National Weather Service and a local news channel then graphed the information. While neither the NWS or news channel were "right on", the NWS was closer to our recorded temperatures.

But! what Winter Wednesday would be complete without PLAYING OUTSIDE?
Licking Icicle Sculptures

J Knee-Deep in Snow with our 10' Hoop

S and C Crawling Under the Pine
J Sitting in a Snowbank
Check out other Nature Studies at Handbook of Nature Study's blog by clicking on the sidebar button! And join up with Science Sunday to see what other families are doing!
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14 comments:

  1. BarbFebruary 4, 2011 at 2:39 PM

    Great idea to compare your temps with the NWS...I will have to check ours now. :)

    Look at all that snow you had for your outdoor lab! Icicles always fascinate me and I love your photo with the kids and icicles.

    Thanks so much for sharing your winter nature study with the OHC.
    (I fixed your link title for you on Mr. Linky.)

    Looking forward to your next post.

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  2. UnknownFebruary 4, 2011 at 4:37 PM

    Thanks for stopping in, Barb! We're enjoying your challenges!

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  3. HollyFebruary 4, 2011 at 6:18 PM

    Thanks for stopping by my blog! I am following you back!

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  4. noreenFebruary 4, 2011 at 7:13 PM

    Hi, I saw your link at Adventures in Abbyland at your blog title captured my interest. I was wondering what mountain you were referring too? Gorgeous pictures of the skylin and your children. I'm looking forward to following you.

    www.rosaymom.blogspot.com

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  5. HeatherFebruary 4, 2011 at 7:25 PM

    somehow I missed the idea of a weather log for this week, that is a great idea. We could not study snow since it never came, maybe you should air mail us some:)

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  6. PhyllisFebruary 4, 2011 at 7:55 PM

    I love your weather chart!

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  7. doeFebruary 4, 2011 at 8:52 PM

    hi jessy, i'm so impressed with your daily weather log. i'd like to try it. thanks for posting about the books you used. i'll look into them. and i love your photos, especially the one with the blue sky and green evergreens tipped with snow. i love winter!

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  8. SparkleeFebruary 5, 2011 at 8:44 AM

    What a great weather and snow study! Looks like fun! I love the icicle sculptures!

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  9. MonicaFebruary 5, 2011 at 8:51 PM

    What great study... I'm going to copy a few of your ideas! Thanks for sharing. Love the icicle photo.

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  10. KathleenFebruary 5, 2011 at 9:31 PM

    I love all of your weather activities! It sounds like you really made the best of the {freezing} circumstances! :) Love your photos!

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  11. UnknownFebruary 6, 2011 at 9:12 AM

    The Weather Log was fun too do! We got our information from www.weather.com and then the National Weather Service and a local news station website for temperature highs comparison. It was interesting for the kids to see that pressure and dew points can help you figure out what weather may be coming and going!

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  12. UnknownFebruary 6, 2011 at 10:53 AM

    This is a really fun way to learn about nature and the weather! Thank you for sharing.

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  13. Kimberly EddyFebruary 6, 2011 at 5:05 PM

    I loved reading your weather activities. You took some great photos...wow that blue sky! :-)

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  14. Sherry GannMarch 6, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    I love the icicle sculpture pic! Thanks for linking with Nature Connections. :)

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